We are taking Carnival's Sensation cruise this September with our 14-month old daughter and mother-in-law. We'd like to take a two-way radio or pager so that our mother-in-law can contact us if necessary in the evening when she's watching the baby.

Do two-way radios work on the ships or are there pagers available for this purpose? Any suggestions would be welcome.

People have reported on this board that the two-ways work well so I'm buying some for our upcoming cruise next week. Most of them claim a 2-mile range which reportedly is close to accurate in the islands. I've been watching the prices at Wal-Mart and they are gonna cost around $30-$40 for a set.

They are also available on the ship for rental and I believe the price is about $90 for a week. The only reason I can think of to rent is the ability to turn them in for another pair if they stop working. Other than that, is seems better to buy them.

This ought to be a permanent item on the home page since the question is asked a lot.

They do work well keeping track of families, although there have been opinions expressed that you might be going ashore to get away from them. If one unit is used on an upper deck, the range to the other ashore can be greater than the advertised two miles.

Some say they work satisfactorily within the ship. The people that I have been aware of bellowing into their handset could be heard throughout the ship without a radio.

It has been reported that some cruise lines rent radio sets, at a premium. Disney issues a pager when relinquishing child.

Those hand-held two-way radios work well and give much comfort to familys etc. Word of warning though, it is very distracting to hear people walking around hollering in them, "10-4 breaker breaker, looking around the pool deck now good buddy, what's your 20?" Have consideration for others just as you would with a radio that played music.
Jim
Community Staff Leader

PS be advised that PERSONAL attacks are not allowed and will be deleted as one already has been in this thread